The Gauteng Department of Health has urged residents to take anti-malarial medication before they visit malaria-endemic areas.
“This year, there have been 26 deaths out of 1 820 malaria cases reported in the province,” said Gauteng health department spokesperson Prince Hamnca.
According to Hamnca, investigations into their deaths determined that the deceased had not taken precautionary measures against the disease.
Those who would be travelling to areas such as the Kruger National Park, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya and Somalia were urged to avoid mosquito bites while they are in these countries.
Although there was a general awareness about malaria, there was a need to continue spreading awareness messages about the deaths in our communities, Hamnca said.
“People need to know that malaria is a disease that is transmitted by the bites of certain types of mosquitoes,” he added.
The symptoms of malaria include fever, headaches, flu-like symptoms, body aches and pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Those most at risk include children under the age of five, the elderly and pregnant women.
According to Hamnca, mosquito bites could be avoided by staying indoors at night, wearing long-sleeve shirts and trousers or using mosquito repellents that can be applied to exposed areas of the skin.
Furthermore, precautionary measures include burning mosquito repellent candles and coils, spraying insecticides and using nets around the bed.
The department emphasised that although Gauteng was not a malaria endemic area, due to the influx of people into the province, residents were urged to seek medical attention when signs and symptoms of malaria were suspected.
